Gaspare sat down facing his Padrona and took the oars. As he rowed the boat out past the ruined “Palace of the Spirits” he looked at Hermione, and it seemed to her that his eyes pitied her.
Could Gaspare see what she was feeling, her humiliation, her secret jealousy? She felt as if she were made of glass. But she returned his gaze almost sternly, and said:
“What’s the matter, Gaspare? Why do you look at me like that?”
“Signora!”
He seemed startled, and slightly reddened, then looked hurt and almost sulky.
“May I not look at you, Signora?” he asked, rather defiantly. “Have I the evil eye?”
“No—no, Gaspare! Only—only you looked at me as if something were the matter. Do I look ill?”
She asked the question with a forced lightness, with a smile. He answered, bluntly:
“Si, Signora. You look very ill.”
She put up her hand to her face instinctively, as if to feel whether his words were true.